2023-2024 Schoolcraft Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Political Science
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Courses in political science help students understand the fundamentals of the American government on the local, state, and federal levels, comparative government, the role of political parties, and international relations. Students explore current political events as an important component of the coursework and can take the Honors Political Science course that offers firsthand experience with political projects. Many political science majors work for elected officials or have careers as community organizers, lobbyists, non-profit leaders, pollsters, professors, and attorneys.
Students interested in studying Political Science should talk to their Academic Advisor about transfer guides and articulation agreements with Schoolcraft College. Students interested in studying Political Science at a 4-year university may be interested in completing the Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, or the Associate of Science degree at Schoolcraft College.
Degrees
Transfer Degrees
Political Science
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POLS 105 - Survey of American Government
Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course is an introductory study of the American political system. Emphasis is placed on historical and contemporary political theories and ideologies as well as on political institutions, parties and interest groups. You will engage in analysis of decision-makers, power and controversial issues.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.
Course Category: Liberal Arts | Social Science
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.
This Course is Typically Offered: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
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Course Competencies
- Compare major political ideologies.
- Investigate how America’s founding documents provide a framework for the country’s political system.
- Analyze the development of American federalism.
- Examine the constitutional limits of civil liberties and civil rights.
- Differentiate between American political parties.
- Evaluate how Congress fulfills its constitutional and democratic responsibilities.
- Evaluate how presidents fulfill their political and legal roles.
- Investigate the federal judiciary’s structure and role in settling legal disputes.
- Analyze the formation and implementation of American public policy.
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POLS 109 - State and Local Government
Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course is an introductory study of America’s state and local governments. Emphasis is placed on the nature of state constitutions, the structure and operation of state executive/legislative/judicial branches, and the organization and functioning of local governments. State/federal and state/local relations will also be covered in this course. Students will engage in analysis of decision-makers, power and controversial issues.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.
Course Category: Liberal Arts | Social Science
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.
This Course is Typically Offered: Fall, Winter
Check Course Availability
Course Competencies
- Explain the importance of state and local governments in the American federal system.
- Investigate levels of political participation by individuals and groups in state and local politics.
- Apply basic terms used in the study of state and local government.
- Analyze current events to illustrate academic theories on state and local government.
- Evaluate how state legislatures fulfill their constitutional and democratic responsibilities.
- Characterize the role that local governments play within the larger arena of state politics.
- Evaluate how governors fulfill their political and legal roles.
- Investigate the state judiciary’s structure and role in settling legal disputes.
- Analyze the formation and implementation of state and local public policy.
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POLS 205 - Political Parties
Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course examines the organization and functions of American political parties. Emphasis is placed on the nature of political campaigns, party conventions, the organization and functioning of political parties and citizen participation in politics. A historical review of parties and their ideological developments is also included.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.
Course Category: Liberal Arts | Social Science
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.
This Course is Typically Offered: Fall Only
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Course Competencies
- Examine the characteristics and functions of political parties.
- Summarize the rise and history of political parties in the United States.
- Compare the organization of the major political parties at the three levels of the American federal system.
- Evaluate the source and nature of support for the two major parties.
- Analyze how political party activities impact presidential and congressional elections, and the appointment of judges.
- Contrast ideological and issue differences between the Republicans and Democrats.
- Evaluate the role of third parties in the American political party system.
- Investigate levels of political participation and support for political parties among individual citizens and interest groups.
- Explain the importance of political parties in the American political system.
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POLS 207 - Comparative Government
Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course is a comparative study of political communities. The course examines the development and spread of varied political ideologies (communism, fascism and liberalism) and their impact on crafting different approaches to governmental organization. A global approach to this topic will involve examining individual countries and regions from around the world.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.
Course Category: Liberal Arts | Social Science
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.
This Course is Typically Offered: Winter Only
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Course Competencies
- Summarize the rise and history of political ideologies in the modern world.
- Apply basic terms used in the comparative study of government.
- Analyze problems within and between particular countries.
- Identify emerging world political trends and conflicts.
- Examine how government institutions reflect different approaches to governmental organization.
- Analyze the formation and implementation of public policy in different political communities.
- Investigate levels of political participation and support for political parties among citizens and groups.
- Explain the importance of political parties in different political settings.
- Contrast differences between key political ideologies.
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POLS 209 - International Relations
Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course provides an examination of the social, economic and political forces that define international relations. Using the major theoretical approaches of the discipline, students will examine the major issues, actors and governmental structures that shape the political landscape of the world.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.
Course Category: Liberal Arts | Social Science
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.
This Course is Typically Offered: Fall, Winter
Check Course Availability
Course Competencies
- Summarize the modern historical context for today’s international relations.
- Apply basic terms used in the study of international relations.
- Analyze international relations problems by means of diplomacy, strategic alliances, political and economic pressures, and warfare.
- Summarize the impact of non-state actors on the world’s political landscape.
- Explain political theories regarding international relations.
- Identify the source and nature of input by individuals and groups into the formation and implementation of regional and global policy goals.
- Identify emerging political trends and conflicts.
- Analyze how international laws and agreements define the parameters for international relations.
- Analyze the forces and actors critical to the design and implementation of the international economy.
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POLS 298 - Political Science Honors Studies
Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 0.5
Lab Contact Hours: 2.5
Description: An opportunity for a student to explore individually, in depth, under the guidance of a faculty member, a topic, issue, problem or fieldwork experience pertaining to or within a government office, political party, interest groups or other organization that allows them to relate their experiences to the study of political science. This study arrangement will take place under the guidance of a departmental faculty member.
Prerequisites: Consent of department.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.
Course Category: Liberal Arts | Social Science
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.
This Course is Typically Offered: As Needed
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Course Competencies
- Work collaboratively with political actors on an extended project.
- Investigate levels of political participation on an extended project.
- Analyze the formation and implementation of public policy.
- Complete a complex, long term project.
- Explain the role that civic responsibility plays in the American political process.
- Synthesize student experiences with knowledge to create writing that is clear, organized, complete, appropriate and well-supported.
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